Pet Blaze Rescue 'Nearly Kills Owner'

A bid to save a pet dog almost cost a woman's life this morning after a 5am blaze ripped through a north Belfast house.

The victim, who was taken unconscious from the property, is now in a stable condition in hospital after being rescued by firefighters.

Neighbours raised the alarm after the blaze broke out on the Whitewell Road property early on Thursday.

The female was found by firefighters in an unconscious condition and required resuscitation.

A senior fire officer Mark Beresford praised the quick-thinking actions of fire personnel and told the BBC: "They saved her life, there's no doubt about that," he said.

After finding the kitchen ablaze at the back of the house, they searched the property and found her slumped behind the living room door.

Neighbours said they heard the smoke alarm beeping and had seen flames in the kitchen area and alerted the emergency services who now believe the blaze may have been accidental.

This morning, a neighbour revealed the woman lived alone with her pet dog and said that she thought the victim may have been trying to reach her pet and been overcome by smoke in the fire.

There was no sign of the animal, which may have been killed in the fire, despite the owner's rescue efforts.

(BMcC/GK)